meditate

American  

[med-i-teyt] / ˈmɛd ɪˌteɪt /

verb (used without object)

meditated, meditating

1. to engage in thought or contemplation; reflect.

   Synonyms:

   think, study, cogitate, ruminate, muse, ponder

2. to engage in Transcendental Meditation, devout religious contemplation, or quiescent spiritual introspection.

---

verb (used with object)

meditated, meditating

1. to consider as something to be done or effected; intend; purpose.

   to meditate revenge.

   Synonyms:

   contrive, devise, plan, contemplate

meditate British  

/ ˈmɛdɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. (intr; foll by on or upon) to think about something deeply

2. (intr) to reflect deeply on spiritual matters, esp as a religious act

   I make space to meditate every day

3. (tr) to plan, consider, or think of doing (something)

---

Other Word Forms

• meditatingly
  adverb
• meditative
  adjective
• meditatively
  adverb
• meditativeness
  noun
• meditator
  noun
• unmeditated
  adjective
• unmeditating
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of meditate

First recorded in 1550–60; from Latin meditātus “contemplated, planned,” past participle of meditārī “to meditate, contemplate, plan”

Explanation

When you meditate, you silently calm or focus your mind for relaxation or spiritual reasons. People who meditate regularly can put a stop to racing thoughts, making them less distracted. When you meditate, you focus on your breathing while sitting calmly. Some people mediate to reduce stress, while others see it as part of their spiritual practice. Meditate can also be used to describe any deep thinking you do, like when you meditate on what to say to a friend who is feeling sad lately. The Latin word for "ponder," meditari, is the root of meditate.

Example Sentences

I do yoga and meditate, and spend time each morning at a nearby cafe with friends over coffee.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

Now, Angelenos can meditate on his importance to the sport through the numerous murals of him and his late daughter, Gianna, around the city.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

There was a lot of time for reflection and Izzy said she would write in her journal, meditate, read and pray - even though she had never been religious before.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

My father didn’t meditate, didn’t track his steps or explicitly “exercise,” and never once uttered the word “mindfulness.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026

I just want him to hand me my sweater so I can go back to my room and meditate on the velvety feeling on my face.

From "What the Night Sings" by Vesper Stamper

Related Words

• ponder
• ruminate